Way of Life Part 1

SR No.: 006513
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 432
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Religion
File Size: 22 MB

Page 73

DISCOURSE 4
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desire? First, desire for Moksha and then ask for it. Do you desire salvation? What is there in salvation? How does the soul exist in the state of salvation ? What does it do? What kind of felicity prevails there? etc. Do you know these things? How foolishly people talk? I am greatly amazed! Those who do not know the nature of the soul speak of salvation. Those who do not know the nature of salvation, speak of salvation. Do you know who they speak of salvation ? Those who speak of salvation are honoured by the people of this world. The world honours those people who say, "We perform spiritual activities to attain salvation.”
But what happens when people see such hypocrites, in cinema theatres, hotels or in drinking houses or when they are committing some immoral, illegal or wicked actions ? People naturally develop contempt for those who talk about dharma. People will have a low estimate of Dharma. Those who do not have the right knowledge of Moksha and those who do not desire to attain Moksha should not speak of salvation in the presence of others. One such "devotee" came to me some days ago. Some preceptor had taught him the word Salvation. I asked him; “With what purpose do you perform spiritual activities?”
He said, “I perform spiritual activities with the purpose of attaining salvation”.
I said to him, "Do you know the nature and meaning of salvation? What is the colour of a soul which has attained salvation ? Is it black or red ?"
He instantaneously replied, “When the soul reaches the state of salvation, it will be Siddha (perfect). The colour of Siddha is red.'
I felt like laughing at his ignorance. He did not know even the simple truth that in the state of salvation, the soul is formless. Until you get a true knowledge of the pure form of the soul, you cannot even aspire for salvation. Without aspiring for salvation, how can you ask for it? So I say that you give up your pretence of asking for salvation for which you have no real aspiration. What is the use of pretending thus? The honour